THE NOTEBOOK: Police presence in Madrid is strengthened amid ISIS terror threat, Iker Casillas makes bold Man City prediction… PLUS, Real Madrid’s unconventional attempt to boost the Bernabeu atmosphere
- Real Madrid faced Man City in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final
- A breathtaking encounter followed at the Bernabeu, with the match ending 3-3
- Could Erik ten Hag find himself back at Ajax? Listen to the It all starts podcast
Real Madrid and Manchester City played out a pulsating 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday evening.
Bernardo Silva’s brutal free-kick put the reigning champions ahead within two minutes, but Real immediately hit back with Eduardo Camavinga’s shot deflected in via Ruben Dias.
Almost immediately, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were 2-1 through Rodrygo, before Phil Foden’s second-half stunner put City level.
Josko Gvardiol scored perhaps an even better goal to put City back in front, but Federico Valverde leveled things up with a sharp volley to ensure these teams could not be separated heading into the second leg in Manchester next week.
Mail Sports’JACK GAUGHAN was at the Bernabeu and looks at some of the things you might have missed from Tuesday’s match.
The police presence was increased due to the terrorist threat
Local police last night called in thousands of extra officers around the Bernabeu after a pro-Islamic state media channel published threats of violence during Champions League matches.
The terror alert level in Spain was classified as high risk (four out of five) and more than 2,000 police and vigilante officers were deployed.
UEFA had discussed the terror threats with both Real Madrid and Manchester City as part of its usual brief ahead of European matches. Checks such as lifting manhole covers were deemed necessary in the hours before kick-off.
“These announcements are mostly propaganda actions to spread fear,” said acting Madrid mayor Inmaculada Sanz.
“Both the security forces and the intelligence services are studying every possible threat, but there is nothing that makes us suspect a situation of particular risk.”
Islamic State threatened to attack fans in London, Paris and Madrid in the coming days
As a result, police called in thousands of additional officers around the Bernabeu
Real Madrid legend praises Man City
Serious kudos to Pep Guardiola’s team from an unlikely source, with Iker Casillas believing these two teams are the new rivalry in European football.
Casillas – who won three Champions League titles – said: “City have replaced Bayern Munich in the European rivalry that existed with Real. As far as I’m concerned, they are the two best teams in the world.’
Real Madrid icon Iker Casillas praised Man City and said the two teams are the best in Europe
Real attempt to boost the atmosphere
UEFA granted Real’s request to close the retractable roof on the eve of this first leg, confirming the decision on the morning of the match.
It’s something Real have done before, in the last round against Leipzig, and it was intended to create more atmosphere in a stadium that normally lacks excitement.
They will have been further boosted by the news that Kevin De Bruyne was only named on the visitors’ bench. It turned out that this was not a tactical move for Guardiola, but that De Bruyne, who was expected to start, became unwell. So sick that he hadn’t even warmed up beforehand.
UEFA granted Real’s request to close the Bernabeu roof in an attempt to improve the atmosphere
City limits Haaland’s marketing responsibilities
Erling Haaland’s superstardom at City is such that the club had to limit the number of signatures he signed, as revealed yesterday in Spanish outlet Relevo.
The Norwegian is said to have spent half an hour every day signing photos and recording video messages for anyone who asked. It put Haaland down, but given the 23-year-old’s personality, he didn’t say the workload proved to be an issue.
City – who are all too aware of the marketing power Haaland possesses – noticed the problem and are now filtering external requests and he apparently holds a signing session once a month.
According to reports in Spain, Man City have had to limit the number of signatures Erling Haaland signs
Unexpected celebrities spotted in the away game
Some quirky spots on this trip to Madrid. Ex-Blackburn Rovers manager Gary Bowyer was in the away leg – not his first European outing this season – while the father-of-one Spice Girl was also in the Spanish capital.
Mel C’s father, Alan Chisholm, is far from a Wannabe. He works in the travel sector and helped City organize the details of their run to the quarter-final.
Ex-Blackburn Rovers boss Gary Bowyer was one of many quirky spots on this trip to Madrid
